Chair with flexible seat



Jan. 8, 1952 R. D. HILL CHAIR WITH FLEXIBLE SEAT 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 10, 1945 INVENTO'R. @om 0. ///1.L

Jan. 8, 1952 R. D. HILL 2,581,793

CHAIR WITH FLEXIBLE SEAT Filed July l0, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /49 I H/zd IIl INVENTOR. @om D. /L

Jan. 8, 1952 R. D. HILL 2,581,793

CHAIR WITH FLEXIBLE SEAT Filed July 10, 1945 4 sheets-sheet 3 A il Alim Mmmm l. I f/ Vga/Mdm Jan. 8, 1952 R. D. HILL. 2,581,793

CHAIR WITH FLEXIBLE SEAT Filed July 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

@ow D. /lu.

Patented Jan. 8, 1952.P

UNITEDV STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,581,793 onantwlin FLEXIBLE SEAT D. Hillglios ngeles, Calif.

Application July to, 1945, serial No. 604,178

a claims.. (c1. 1.55%187) .This invention relates 'to improvements. in chairs'. Y One objeftl ,Qi the present` invention is. Egiptovide an improved chainoi the;y collapsibletype wherein the chair composed of :a pair. ofsnaoed Side members toy the lowen ends ot wlriiclil are secured the lower ends of a Xabi-ace, .construction, the Xabi-ace carrying seat rails. adjacent its upper end enabling a seat to be suspended therebetween. The xf-brace construction being made up' ofpivoiallv connected@ ll. S er elements en-'- ahlesthe side membcrsto beV I Qther. general time Qi collapsibleehair is well known in. the art but most chairs embndying l.

peaar'ice. It has been desiree in chairs cf. this character .to sc arrange the parts that the side `inerrribrs will .diverge slighuy ine. forward direction nomine back i the chair so that the chair will I1ii2h?r 1resent a rigid. stiff, appearance nor be uncomfortable to Us@ Y object of the present invention is therefore .te provide e @'.hei which. ,may hecollapsed and which employs an Xb'race construction for this purpose which is so designed that the side mornibers will diverge from each other: from the back of the chair forwardly 'and whichwill not only be sturdy in construction but niay bewcollapsed readily with a` minimum amount vof effort and nithoutbindine- Y Another .object of the inventionis to' provide a collapsible chair with a novel connection between the sides of the seat-forming element or elements and the seat rails of 'the chair enabling the seat-forming elements to 'be readily removed vfrom time to time as occasion may require for laundering o'rl cleaning purposes, 4and to 'be' sub sequently replaced. The ability torremove and replace the seat-forming element or elements also enables a number of chair frames to be kept 'in stock and have supplied thereto a seat cover which may be colored or printed to meet the de, sires or the' purchaser.

Another object of the' invention is to provide a chair having a eitible backrest which caribe eas.- ily detached from the chair, cleaned, and rel'- placed, vor which may have baekrests of' vother colors ordesigns readily substituted therefor.

A Viurtl'ier object of the invention is to provide a=whee1 chair having a footreston the underside ot which there isa pedestal arranged to be le.,

2'. l cated immediately above the supporting surface s o that when weight is placed Aon the frootrest in getting into or outv of thev chair any tendency of the chair to tilt4 due tothe weight on the footrest orto roll. away is nnmedately arrested by the pedestal engaging the supporting surface. `In this respect the invention is an improvement over wheel chairs now in general use wherein the footrest 'is usually spaced a considerable distance above. `the supporting surface with the result that when the occupant of4 the chairplaces his weight on the footrest the chair has a, tendency to. tilt which has frequently resulted in injury.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a@ wheel chairwherein the wheels are mounted on side rails that are detachab'ly connected to the side members of the chair, the arrangement being such that the side rails are interchangeable. V

Usually, wheel chairs are equipped on each side vwith a large wheel that may function as a driving wheel and also a small wheel or caster wheel. Under certain conditions it is desired to have the large wheel near the front of the chair and under other conditions it is desired to have the large wheel near the rear of the chair. By having the side rails on which the wheels are mounted detachable from the chair and interchangeable the chair may be converted so ask to vposition the large wheels at the front or back of the chair as desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein: Y Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible stationary type chair Aembodying the present -invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view in elevation of the same Fig. 3 is a view in Vside elevation of the samen;

Fig. 4 is a front view in elevation of the chair shown cin Fig. l1, illustrating the chair in collapsed position;

Fig. .5 is a partial view in horizontal section and may be regarded as having been taken substantially on the line '5l-5 upon Fig. L35

Fig. .6 is a lpartial view *in elevation and may be regarded as having been taken upon the line Bri-6 upon Fig. 5;

Fig. V'7 is apartial view in elevation illustrating thfe details of construction of `the latch which may be employed fin the' construction lof the chair; I

`Fig. 8 is v, partialview inV eleva-tion of the rear end of one of the seatrail's;

Fig. 9 is a partial view in vertical section illustrating the details of construction of one form of connection between the flexible seat elements and the side rails;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrattrating the side rails as having been interchanged; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line I4-I4 upon Fig. 13.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved chair as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, comprises a pair of spaced side members, generally indicated at I D' and II which may be fabricated of any suitable material, such as for example plywood. These side members'provide front legs I2, rear legs I3, bottom rungs I4, seat rungs I5, and arm rests I6.

The X-brace construction, generally indicated at I'I, connects the two side members to each other.V The X-brace construction illustrated consists of two X-braces, each composed of legs I8 and I9 pivotally connected together'adjacent iS their centers by a connecting rod 20. The lower ends of these legs are connected to the bottom rungs I4 of the side members as by hinges 2|.

, The upper ends of these legs are connected to seat rails 22 and 23. These seat rails are rigid with the upper ends of the legs of the X-brace.

A feature of the construction resides in the arrangement of parts so that the side members I0 and I I may diverge forwardly instead of being perfectly parallel to each other as in the conventional collapsible chair of this type. To this end, as will be observed from Fig. 3, the planes of the X-braces are inclined upwardly and rearwardly instead of being arranged vertically and preferably the bottom rungs I4 are inclined downwardly and rearwardly instead of being horizontal so that the hinge members 2l -may be located at approximately midway between the top and bottom of the bottom rungs. With this arrangement, the seat rails 22 and 23 may be so mounted on the upper ends of the X-brace construction as to diverge forwardly with approximately the same degree of divergence as the side members l0 and Il.

In the conventional chair of this type. the seat rails have some sort of slidable connection with the -front legs of the side members. I-owevcr, in the present construction I nd it advisable to omit such a slidable connection in order to avert anyl tendency to bind. On the inner faces of the rear legs I3 only I provide guide bars or rods 24 and secure apertured plates 25 to the seat rails at their rear ends. The guide rods or bars 24 loosely extend through the apertures in these plates and are anchored at their top and bottom to the legs I3. Intermediate the top and bottom these guide bars or rods are spaced slightly from the inner faces of the legs I3. By this form of construction it will be appreciated that the side members I0 and I I must diverge forwardly and if desired the seat rails may be tilted downwardly and rearwardly toward the back, thus producing a collapsible chair of this type which is comfortable in use and pleasing in appearance. When the side members I0 and` II are IIlQl/.fed

towards each other the legs I8 and I9 of the X-brace construction pivot relative to each other with the apertured plates 25 merely sliding up on the guide bars-or rods 24. Outward movement of the side members I0 and Il may be limited by a flexible, but inextensible member 26 connected to the opposed seat rungs I5. When the outward movement of the side members is arrested further pivotal vmovement between the legs IB and I9 Vis arrested thus limiting the position of the seat rails 22 and 23. The front legs I2 may have pivoted latches 21 mounted thereon which Vare receivable in ferrules 28 recessed in the forward ends of the seat rails 22 and 23. These latches may be swung into engaging position and when engaged will prevent movement of the seat rails relative to the side members I0 and I I. Whenever the latches are disengaged the chair may be collapsed as above described.

A feature'of the construction'is the manner of attachment of the seat-forming element or elementsto the side rails. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the top edges of the side rails are grooved as at 29 and a metal cover strip 30 is fastened to the seat rails'between the grooves and extends partially thereover so that the interiors of the grooves are larger than the entrances thereto provided by the edges of the strip 30 and the top surface of the seat rail. The flexible seat that connects the seat rails may consist merely of a section of fabric, such as canvas 32 which is reversely folded at its sides around a length of rope 33. The reversely folded portion may be stitched to the body of the fabric to inclose the rope. This rope or the equivalent provides longitudinally extending enlargements at the side edges of the fabric which can be slid lengthwise into the innermost grooves 29. In'- asmuch as the entrances to these grooves are narrower than their interiorsand the enlargements practically ll the interiors of the grooves they cannot be withdrawn from the grooves. In this manner, the seat will be uniformly held throughout the length of each of its side edges. so that the fabric will not become stretched or unduly stressed in certain localities as is frequently the case where a series of spaced independent fasteners are employed to attach the fabric seat to the seat rails. If desired, one side of the fabric may have an additional rope or cord secured to its underside parallel to the rope 33 and this additional rope may be slipped into the groove in lieu of the rope 33 to take up slack in the event that the fabric stretches and sags.

The' above-described construction embodies the fabric yseat element which may be withdrawn or removed from the chair for cleaning purposes or for substitution. This may be accomplished by merely sliding the enlargements provided for by the ropes 33 forwardly through the grooves until they are completely withdrawn.

In some forms of construction I employ in addition to the seat element 32 a seat cover 34 which is similarly constructed having enlargements provided by ropes 35 at its side edges which are receivable in the outermost grooves 29 and when such a seat cover is employed it may be desirable to interpose between the cover 34 and the element 32 a cushionv 36. The cover may similarly be removed from the chair -for purposes of cleaning or if desired, it may be substituted with another cover-fof different color or design. The cover may bg equipped with a siert si at its forward edge I. whichhangs downwardly a suitable distance -Sfrom 'the-lforward edge ofthe-seat. I- y,

In Fig. 110, I have illustrated an alternative form of seat con-struction wherein the rseat element .38 hasv enlargements y3S receivable in the groove 29 and the lcover '40 is for-med voi' upper andlower fabric 'sections between which there maybe filling or padding 4I 'forming a cushion. These fabric ysections may be integral with each other and encircle -a rope 42 providing lenlargements at its side edges which are yreceivable in the outermost grooves 28.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the opposed faces of the rear llegs i3 may have grooves :43 formed therein which have znarrow entrances and a flexible abackrest 44 connects the .upper portions of these rear legs. The backrest is similarly reversely folded about an enlargement forming rope 45 which can be slid into the tops of the grooves 43. When so mounted the backrest cannot be withdrawn from within the grooves except by sliding it vertically out of the grooves whenever cleaning or replacement is required.

In Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, I have illustrated the invention as having been incorporated in a wheel chair wherein the body of the chair, generally indicated at 5D, is of the same construction previously described. In addition thereto, there are provided a pair of side rails 5| which are detachably connected to the front and rear legs of the side members such as by bolts and wing nuts 52. The rear ends of these side rails may be equipped with caster wheels 53 and adjacent their forward ends they may be provided with axles or bearings for large drive wheels 54. The side rails are provided with a series of bolt holes 55, any of which may receive the bolts and Wing nuts 52. Thus, if it is desired to convert the wheel chair so that the drive wheel 54 instead of being located near the front of the chair, is located near the back of the chair it is merely necessary to remove the side rails and their attached wheels and apply them to the opposite side of the chair (compare Figs. 11 and 13). The side rails are equipped with a pair of links 56 and 5l which are connected thereto, such as by bolts and wing nuts 58. These bolts and wing nuts when loosened will permit of adjustment of these links from the full line position shown in Fig. 11 to the dotted line position shown therein. The links have secured to their lower ends a footrest 59 and on the underside of this footrest there is mounted a pedestal 6U, the bottom of which is only a short distance above thesupporting surface. When the occupant of the v` chair in getting in or out of the chair places considerable weight on the iootrest which would otherwise tend Vto tilt it about the foremost wheels, this pedestal quickly engages the supporting surface and arrests such tilting movement. It will be understood that when the footrest 59 is in any adjusted position that it is rigidly maintained therein by the tightening of the wing nuts 58. A flexible panel 6I may be connected between the side members of the chair and may be connected to the footrest and when the footrest is swung into an upper position indicated by dotted lines on Fig. 11, this panel may serve to support the legs of the occupant. In this form ofv construction the flexible backrest, instead of being mounted between the upper ends of the rear legs I3 may be mounted between arms 62 which are pivotally mounted on the rear legs |3 as at 63. These arms may be swung rearwardly into any adjusted position and then tightened or held in such position by tightening bolts and wing nuts 'fere with the fnormal collapse vof the chair facilitating its being collapsed whenever it is ydesired to store or transport the same.

From the vabove-described construction it will be appreciated that an improved chair is provided which may be feither of the stationary or wheel type and which is of novell construction lin that the 'side members need not vbe parallel but may diverge forwardly lending tothe chair Ian inviting and :comfortable appearance. Furthermore. the improved chairmay VVbe converted Vfrom a'stationary .chair into a wheelchair or vice .versa by the application or removal of the side rails and their associated structure. The drive wheels 54 may be located near the front of the chair or near the rear of the chair depending upon which side of the chair the side rails are attached to. By employing various holes 55 for the reception of the bolts and wing nuts 52, the position of the drive wheels 54 may also be varied.

It is to be understood that when the word rope is used in the claims that it is intended to cover ordinary types of rope, and also cloth, twine or thread which is formed into a rope like shape.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deiined by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a collapsible chair; a pair of seat rails each having a pair of longitudinally extending grooves therein, the ,interiors of said grooves being larger than their entrances, a flexible element having longitudinally extending enlargements along its side edges receivable in the innermost grooves only in the seat rails, a seat cover having longitudinally extending enlargements along its side edges receivable in the outermost grooves only in the seat rails, and a cushion between the iiexible element and the seat cover, the enlargements of the ilexible element and the seat cover being formed by enclosing lengths of rope.

2. In a collapsible chair, a pair of seat rails each having a pair of longitudinally extending semi-circular grooves therein, a single closing strip secured to each rail and disposed between the grooves of each rail and having portions overhanging the grooves to restrict the entrances to the grooves, a ilexible element having longitudinally extending enlargements along its side edges receivable in the innermost grooves only of the seat rails, a seat cover having longitudinally extending enlargements along its side edges receivable in the outermost grooves only in the seat rails, and a cushion between the flexible element and the seat cover, the enlargements of the flexible element and the seat cover being formed by encircling lengths of rope.

3. In a collapsible chair, a pair of seat rails each having a pair of longitudinally extending semi-circular grooves therein, a single closing strip secured to each rail and disposed between .the grooves of each rail and having portions overhanging the grooves to restrict the entrances to the grooves, upper and lower fabric sections formed integral with one another to present an endless belt, a pair of lengths of rope encircled tions to provide opposed longitudinally extending enlargements receivable in the outermost grooves only in the seat rails, and a bottom fabric section between the seat rails, two opposed margins of the bottom section each encircling alength of rope and being fastened to the main body of the bottom section to provide longitudinally extending enlargements receivable in the innermost grooves only in the seat rails.

ROLO D. HILL.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Greene Feb. 21. 1882 Number Number Number 15 635,744

.Name Date Smith Nov. 6, 1900 Nunan Mar. 3, 1905 Baum May 8, 1917 Chassaing Nov. 13, 1917 Scheibe Aug. 16, 1921 Hollenbeck et a1. Nov. 6, 1923 Barnett Sept. 9, 1924 Kidder Dec. 17, 1929 Van Derveer June 20, 1939 Connolly Dec. 12, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Jan. 2, 1928 Italy May 12, 1936 

